RK (LW) TEAM REC
1 (1) Lakers 7-0
The Lakers are averaging a league leading 114 points per game while allowing their opponents to score 100.4, a differential of 13.6 which is also tops in the league. The defending champs have the league‘s best record at 7-0 and look to be on track to three-peat.
2 (3) Celtics 6-1
Other than that lone loss, a lackadaisical performance in Cleveland, the Celtics are 6-1 and moved up ahead of Cleveland following a 4-0 week. The Celtics are averaging a league leading 26.9 assist per game (apg) led by their all-star point guard Rondo, who is leading the league in that category with 14.7apg.
3 (7) Hornets 6-0
The New Orleans Hornets are off to their best start in franchise history at 6-0 and continues to be the surprise team in first two weeks of the season. Chris Paul appears to be happy and how could he not be considering such a great start. I guess the trade rumors that surrounded Paul during the offseason are a distant memory for now.
4 (2) Heat 5-2
All you kept hearing in the summer was how Lebron would play this season with a vengeance, but so far that has not materialized. Lebron is only averaging 20.7ppg, the second lowest point total of his career and has clearly been the second best player for the Miami Heat behind Dwyane Wade. It really bothers me to see the fastest player in game, walking up the court playing the point guard role, which is definitely not his position. He needs to be finishing on the break like the dominant player that he is, rather than trying to be a facilitator, because all that does is slow him down and makes him less effective in my opinion. The Heat will continue to be one notch below Lakers and the Celtics, if Lebron continues to be their point guard.
5 (5) Magic 4-1
The Magic are second in the nba in rebounds at 47.2 and opponents point allowed at 88.6ppg and had it not been for their disappointing 96-70 loss to Miami, they would be the most efficient team offensively and defensively in the nba. Regardless of that fact, the Magic have recovered very nicely since that defeat to maintain the 5th ranking entering week 3.
6 (6) Hawks 6-1
The Atlanta Hawks were off to a great 6-0 start before losing 118-114 to Phoenix, their first loss of the season. The Hawks next game is against the Orlando Magic. It would be a nice test for the Hawks, so I am curious to see how they will respond.
7 (12) Spurs 4-1
The Spurs are second in the nba in assist at 26.2 and fourth in scoring at 109 points per game, but their opponents are averaging 105.4 points, which is 24th in nba. For years the Spurs have hung their hats on defense, but at 24th they must improve or a close overtime win like the 124-121 win over the Rockets could easily turn into defeats.
8 (11) Nuggets 4-2
For now things seems to be normal in Denver. Carmelo is averaging 24.7ppg on 51.4 percent shooting and Al Harrington has been a really nice being a spark off the bench at 16.2ppg, but does that mean Melo is staying? I still believe he will eventually end up in New York, the only question is when?
9 (4) Trail Blazers 5-3
The Blazers played 5 games last week, the most games played by any team in single week so far in the nba. They finished the week 2-3, but could have easily finished the week with a respectable 3-2 record had it not been for a heart breaking 107-106 overtime loss to the Thunder in Portland.
10 (9) Mavericks 3-2
The Mavericks had a light week with back to back games against the Denver Nuggets. They won one and loss one, so it’s really too early to determine how the Mavericks stack up against the other good teams in the league, but after week two they were able to finish with the 10th ranking.
11 (18) Warriors 4-2
If you wondering how the Warriors have a 4-2 record, all you need to do is look at two things. First, Monte Ellis and Steph Curry are the nba leading backcourt averaging 45.6ppg with Ellis leading the nba in scoring at 27.8ppg. Two, the Warriors new head coach Keith Smart actually have them playing defense. I know they are giving up 102.5 points to their opponent, but that is a major improvement considering the fact that the Warriors have been among the worst defensive teams in the nba for years.
12 (13) Jazz 3-3
The Jazz seem to be struggling to find their stride while getting their newly acquired center Al Jefferson acclimated to their system, but one thing hasn’t changed and that is they have continued to play hard. A prime example was against the Clippers. They were down 18 points in the first half and rookie sensation Blake Griffin had 15 points and 15 rebounds. Coach Sloan made the defensive adjustments and the Jazz held Griffin to only 1 point and 2 rebounds in the entire second half before fouling out. The Jazz went on to win in double overtime.
13 (8) Thunder 3-3
Pressure changes everything and that has clearly been the case for the Oklahoma City Thunder. They entered the season with expectations that were simply too high and with 66 percent of the nba General Managers predicting that Kevin Durant would win the nba’s MVP Award. So far they are 3-3, with two of their wins by one point each. They could have easily been 1-5 and the number one reason for that is because they are dead last in the nba in assist with 14.8 per game. In retrospect, the Celtics Rondo is leading the league with 14.7 assist per game.
14 (14) Phoenix 3-3
The Suns are still trying to find themselves, but with Steve Nash still leading the way, I expect them to make the playoffs. They showed that they can still play with the best as evident in their 118-114 win over the Hawks in Atlanta, giving the Hawks their first loss.
15 (15) Grizzlies 3-4
The Grizzlies are right at the top of the bottom half of the nba and Rudy Gaye has been very impressive with his 27.1ppg average. I guess Mike Conley is also trying to prove that he is worth his $45 million/5year contract extension. Personally I don’t think he is, but his 15.6ppg and 8.3apg may prove otherwise if he can maintain that average. Either way, I expect the Grizzlies to hover around a .500 record for the entire season, which might not be enough wins to make the playoffs in the West.
16 (10) Bulls 2-3
I know a 2-3 record makes the Bulls an underachieving team so far this season, but we can’t really judge them until Carlos Boozer returns. Without Booz they are a .500 ball club at best, because they still don’t have an inside presence.
17 (22) Cavaliers 3-3
For seven years I rooted for the Cavaliers, or should I say I rooted for Lebron James. Well, I have news to report. If the season ended today, the Cavaliers would be the 4th seed, due to the fact that they are leading their division and the Heat, Lebron’s new team would be 5th and they would actually be matched up against each other in round one. That would be a very ironic scenario.
18 (20) Knicks 3-3
As of today, the Knicks are actually a playoff team in the East with a 3-3 record and could actually end up making the playoffs in the East considering who they have to finish ahead off. Tony Douglas and Wilson Chandler are averaging a combined 32.8ppg, which is definitely increasing their trade value in what I believe will be an inevitable trade with the Denver Nuggets for Carmelo Anthony.
19 (19) Kings 3-3
The Kings are off to a fairly decent start at 3-3, but the one thing we need to keep an eye on is how rookie center DeMarcus Cousins will react to losing the starting position to Samuel Dalembert. Against the Grizzlies in 23 minutes minutes Cousins only had 4 points on 1 for 4 shooting off the bench. Will he continue to play poorly or, will he use this opportunity to improve? The Kings will benefit greatly if he chooses the latter.
20 (28) 76ers 2-5
Elton Brand game has been rejuvenated under new head coach Doug Collins and after a 0-3 opening week, the Sixers finished last week 2-2, but could have finished 3-1 had it not been for a 116-115 overtime loss to the Wizards. The Sixers five losses are by a combined 28 points, which is an indication that they have been competitive in all their games. Andre Iguodala health could be a problem. He missed their last game, but hopefully he’s not out for much longer.
21 (17) Pacers 2-3
The Pacers took a step back last week with two losses including a 101-75 blowout loss in Philadelphia. They are definitely a work in progress and will go as far as Granger, Collison and Hibbert takes them, however, Granger is the key to their success. Against Philly he made only 2 out of the 14 shots he took for 7 points, the Pacers have no chance of winning with a performance like that from Granger. Hibbert and Collison may be a work in progress, but Granger must be more consistent in order for the Pacers to be competitive.
22 (26) Pistons 2-5
The Pistons are definitely better than their 2-5 record and I expect them to get it together sooner than later. At best they are a 7th or 8th seed in the East, but I think they could make the playoffs if their ownership issue gets resolved and if and when they make a trade. I believe Prince or Hamilton will be traded by the deadline.
23 (16) Bucks 2-5
The Bucks are fifth in the league in opponents points allowed at 93 a game, which indicates they are playing the type of defense that coach Scott Skiles wants them to play. However, they are dead last in scoring at 89.6 points per game and that is simply not going to get it done. I expect them to improve because their defense is solid.
24 (29) Rockets 1-5
The Rockets have loss by 2, 3 and 4 points in three of the five defeats, which is a clear indication that they are definitely better than their 1-5 record. However, one thing has remained constant all season long for the Rockets and that is they are 29th in the league in opponent points allowing 112.7 per game. The Rockets could be out of the playoff race very soon if they don’t start addressing their defensive woes.
25 (21) Nets 2-4
The New Jersey Nets started the season winning their first two games, but has since reeled off four straight losses. The Nets problems can be attributed primarily to the play of their star center Brook Lopez who is shooting a career low 39.8 percent from the field. Lopez is taking 17.2 shots for his 18.8 points, which must improve if the Nets expect to have any chance of being competitive on a nightly basis.
26 (25) Bobcats 1-5
A few weeks ago, the legendary Michael Jordan, the majority owner of the Bobcats was quoted saying he enjoyed the challenge of running the team and he was happy with the Bobcats current state. Well, that was before the season started. In their defense, most of their games have been competitive, but simply playing hard is just not good enough.
27 (27) Wizards 1-4
The Wizards will continue to be an exciting team thanks to ROY candidate John Wall and the return of Gilbert Arenas should provide them with veteran leadership, but will it be enough to put the Wizards over the hump? I don’t think so, at least not this season.
28 (30) Clippers 1-6
The only bright spot for the Clippers this season is Blake Griffin. Losing Baron Davis to injury has hurt the team tremendously. I think the Clips need to figure out a way to incorporate Griffin more in the offense somehow, because without Davis and with Kaman having a subpar season, the Clippers need to find more scoring options.
29 (24) Minnesota 1-6
The Timberwolves are the worst defensive team in the nba, allowing 114.4 points per game to their opponents, but ironically they are the best rebounding team with 48.7 per game. They do have some upside, but collectively they need to find an identity, because as of right now they just seem to be going through the motions.
30 (23) Raptors 1-5
The Raptors only bright spot this season was a 20 points win over the Cavaliers and the fact that their starting center Andrea Bargnani is averaging 20.3ppg has also been a refreshing. Outside of that, they remind me of a Euro League team because of all the foreign players that they have.
No comments:
Post a Comment